■ Humanities / It’s natural: Fractions are for counting, and decimals are for measuring Mental representations of numbers have roots that go beyond language and culture. Fractions and decimals are often thought of simply as alternative ways to represent the same quantity, and this is how they are typically introduced when taught to children. However, studies have shown that people conceive of an amount differently according to whether it is notated as a fraction or as a decimal and that they process the two notations differently. For example, when comparing two quantities to determine which one is larger, people are able to judge more quickly … Continue reading It’s natural: Fractions are for counting, and decimals are for measuringRead More →